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In reply to the discussion: DU astronomers, a Milky Way question. [View all]MineralMan
(146,307 posts)9. See this image:
It shows our solar system's location in the galaxy. We can only see any of it from a side view. We're looking at the spiral arm, toward the center of the galaxy. We can't actually see the central part, though, due to the density of the stars in the spiral arm.
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You are looking into the center. Which is blocked by a lot of star formation.
Gravitycollapse
Jun 2013
#38
What always gets me is that a lot of the stars we "see" are long dead and gone.
Tierra_y_Libertad
Jun 2013
#11
Ah, but to know that what you are viewing ocurred 2-4,000 years past does really
bettyellen
Jun 2013
#27
A coincidence that you should ask this question today...we just got an upgrade...
DreamGypsy
Jun 2013
#20
We are about 26,000 light yrs for the center and about 100,000 light yrs from the edge.
ladjf
Jun 2013
#21
We are viewing the galaxy from one of the spiral arms. The brightest spot is the center...
Gravitycollapse
Jun 2013
#36
A fine candy choice. Chocolate, caramel and something sort of fluffy yet solid.
DonRedwood
Jun 2013
#39